Portable stove

Abstract

A portable stove includes a frusto-conical body and a grid carried within the body together with an optional cooking surface for the smaller end of the body and stands to elevate the larger end of the body to facilitate establishing an air flow into the body. By rolling a flat piece of metal that has folds on both ends until the folded ends are interlocked, the stove's body is formed. Squeezing the formed body releases it to return to a flattened configuration for storage. The components of the stove can thus be stored in a compact configuration such as in a backpack. An optional oven includes a cooking chamber within a housing. The oven rests on the body and redistributes heat from the burning fuel inside the body to the cooking chamber base, body and lid so that it bakes evenly. The housing confines the heat to the chamber for improved cooking efficiency.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a contination in part of application Ser. No. 10 / 783,050, filed Feb. 20, 2004 now abandoned.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to portable stoves and ovens for cooking using available combustible solid fuels.[0003]Many people throughout the world use electric or gas ovens, microwave ovens and stovetops for cooking. However, many more do not. Stoves and ovens that use wood, propane, charcoal, peat, dung, or chemical combustibles are often used out of convenience or necessity. For example, those hiking long distances may build campfires for cooking and for warmth. Campers may include small portable propane stoves specifically for camping among their camping gear.[0004]Not everyone has a choice in the way to cook. Many people in underdeveloped countries cook in primitive ways, perhaps using campfires or simple structures in which to burn whatever solid fuels are available. Many...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]According to its major aspects and briefly recited, the present invention is a portable stove. The present stove in all embodiments is a small stove for simple outdoor cooking and, in one embodiment, baking.

[0008]An important feature of the present invention is that the stove disassembles without tools into a series of flat components that can be stored or carried easily with minimal space requirements.

[0009]Another important feature of the present invention is that it is preferably made to have a frusto-conical shape that has two advantages. This shape is very stable and is more energy efficient. The present stove also has a cooking surface that takes the heat, concentrated by the frusto-conical shape, and delivers it to the food-holding container placed on the surface, thereby avoiding wasted heat thrown to the sides of the container.

[0010]Still another important feature of the present invention is the use of copper to transmit heat in a controlled manner. The heat follows copper readily, more so than many other metals, delivering it to where it is desired and thus wasting less heat.

[0011]Another feature of the present invention is an oven that surrounds a baking chamber with heat from the stove below it and thus bakes with surprisingly good results.

Problems solved by technology

Many times these primitive heat sources are inefficient, consuming a lot of fuel for the amount of cooking actually being done.

However, even when the most modern cooking appliances are available, the results are not always optimal.

Those combinations do not always result from the use of the most modern cooking appliances.

Images